Orthopedic rack

ABSTRACT

A traction device, in the form of a frame adapted to fit under a hospital matress, has head, chest and foot harnesses and is articulated for adjustment with the raising of the bed at the head or foot.

United States Patent 1 Raban 1 1 Oct. 2, 1973 1 1 ORTHOPEDIC RACK [76] Inventor: Kenneth A. Rahan, Box 241, St.

Johns, Ariz. 85936 221 Filed: Jan. 10, 1972 211 Appl. No.1 216,362

[52] U.S. Cl. 128/75 [51] Int. Cl A6lh 1/02 [58] Field of Search 128/75, 71, 84

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,134,379 5/1964 Nightingale 128/75 2,511,061 6/1950 Hughes 128/71 X 2,786,512 3/1957 Moyer 128/75 X 2,853,999 9/1958 Risser 128/114 FOREIGN PATENTS ()R APPLICATIONS 394,484 11/1965 Switzerland 128/71 1,187,011 4/1970 Great Britain 128/71 1 374,803 3/1964 Switzerland 1214/71 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudct Assistant Examiner-J. Yasko All0rneyWi11iam C. Cahi11 et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A traction device, in the form of a frame adapted to fit under a hospital matress, has head, chest and foot harnesses and is articulated for adjustment with the raising of the bed at the head or foot.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 PATENTEDUBT 2191K FIGI v a may ORTHOPEDIC RACK This invention relates to orthopoedic equipment, more particularly to body traction devices.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a traction device which will fit into a hospital bed, over and under the matress, and will allow the bed to be raised at either end, the traction harnesses being completely adjustable for tension and comfort.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a traction device that is easy to apply to or remove from, the patient.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. I is a plan view of the invention, parts broken away at the attaching straps.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of two chest attachments.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the head harness.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of one of two foot harnesses.

Referring to the figures, the invention comprises a frame 11 and a set of attachable harnesses including two chest harnesses 12, a head harness 13 and two foot harnesses 14.

Frame 11 is constructed in a rectangular form in which two articulated units 15 are the longer members while two tubes 16 are the shorter members. Each unit 15 comprises a pair of plates 17 fixed to a pair of tubes 18 each of which are pivoted at the ends to a tube 19. The upper outer corner of plates 17 pivot a pair of tubes 20 and 21 which telescope. A helically moving sleeve 22 on tube 20 engages a rubber ring hearing on tube 21, in a well known manner, so that a twist of the sleeve immobilizes the relative movement of the telescoped tubes. In the plane of the lower units 15, straps 23 are fixed laterally along the frame. Between tubes 20, and between tubes 21, a pair of members 24 and 25 are fixed in pairs of collars 26 and 27 slidable on tubes 20 and 21. Four coil springs 28 in these tubes are arranged to restrain movement of members 24 and 25 towards each other. This can be done, for example, by pins on the inside of collars 26 and 27 projecting into slots in tubes 20 and 21 behind springs 28.

At the opposite ends of springs 28 adjustable restraints 29 are provided. These restraints, held by set screws, allow the setting of spring pressure transmitted to members 24 and 25. Scales may be provided to read the pressure in pounds. a

A pair of straps 30 are slidably secured on member 24 while another strap 31 is similarly placed on member 25. Finally a pair of hooks 32 are attached to tube 21.

Turning the harnesses, body harnesses 12 are attached by a ring 33 to hooks 32. Head harness 13 is attached to strap 31 by a ring passed through the hole in bar 34. Foot harnesses 14 are attached to straps 30 by rings 35.

Traction device 10 is installed by removing the bed matress, setting the invention in the bed frame and then replacing the mattress into the original space upon straps 23.

The patient receives head harness 13 by placing cushioned area 36 under the chin and around the jaws to the back of the head. Chest harnesses 12 go over the shoulders, cross under the back then under the arms and back over the chest. Foot harnesses 14 are installed in the customary manner for traction. The straps are adjusted all around for the desired force in springs 28 and for the comfort of the patient.

Should the head or foot of the bed need tilting, sleeves 22 are loosened so that members 18 can turn. Sleeves 22 are tightened, and the harnesses readjusted are required.

What I now claim is:

1. In an articulated traction apparatus positioned within a bed frame and including head, waist and foot harnesses anchored to said apparatus and attachable to a patient, the improvement comprising:

A. a pair of generally rectangular upper and lower frame units having lateral and longitudinal sides;

B. a plurality of straps extending between said longi-- tudinal sides parallel to said lateral sides of said lower-unit,

C. each of said longitudinal sides of said lower unit having end pieces pivotally connected to a central member and defining the points of articulation of said frame;

D. a brace disposed at the extremity of each said end pieces, each said brace extending upwardly from respective ones of said end pieces and securing the upper and lower frame units;

E. a spring biased telescoping member on said upper frame unit disposed intermediate said braces of each said longitudinal side; and

F. means pivotally connecting the ends of each of said telescoping member to respective ones of said braces and means located on said upper frame lateral sides for connection to said head, waist and foot harness; whereby, said telescoping members exert a force upon said frame, which force tends to straighten said end pieces and said central members and establish tension on the harnesses strapped to a patient.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means for adjusting the spring bias of said telescoping members.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further including lock means disposed within said telescoping members for immobilizing each said telescoping member.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including lateral supports disposed intermediate corresponding ones of said braces.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 further including anchor members disposed intermediate said telescoping members for anchoring at least one of the harnesses. 

1. In an articulated traction apparatus positioned within a bed frame and including head, waist and foot harnesses anchored to said apparatus and attachable to a patient, the improvement comprising: A. a pair of generally rectangular upper and lower frame units having lateral and longitudinal sides; B. a plurality of straps extending between said longitudinal sides parallel to said lateral sides of said lower unit; C. each of said longitudinal sides of said lower unit having end pieces pivotally connected to a central member and defining the points of articulation of said frame; D. a brace disposed at the extremity of each said end pieces, each said brace extending upwardly from respective ones of said end pieces and securing the upper and lower frame units; E. a spring biased telescoping member on said upper frame unit disposed intermediate said braces of each said longitudinal side; and F. means pivotally connecting the ends of each of said telescoping member to respective ones of said braces and means located on said upper frame lateral sides for connection to said head, waist and foot harness; whereby, said telescoping members exert a force upon said frame, which force tends to straighten said end pieces and said central members and establish tension on the harnesses strapped to a patient.
 2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means for adjusting the spring bias of said telescoping members.
 3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further including lock means disposed within said telescoping members for immobilizing each said telescoping member.
 4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including lateral supports disposed intermediate corresponding ones of said braces.
 5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 further including anchor members disposed intermediate said telescoping members for anchoring at least one of the harnesses. 